Investigating the role of selected organisations and government institutions in promoting the welfare of older persons in Lusaka-district, Zambia.
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Date
2024
Authors
Pelekamoyo, Brenda
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The older persons population remains a vulnerable group that deserves special protection. Due to lack of care and support they continue to face different forms of abuse. If issues relating to abuse of older persons are not addressed adequately, the older persons will remain a neglected group.
However, the primary concern is whether the welfare of older persons is recognised, promoted, and respected. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of SCAZ, RWBZ, HRC and MCDSS in promoting the welfare of older persons in Lusaka District, Zambia. Therefore, this study investigated the contributions of the Senior Citizens Association of Zambia (SCAZ), Retirees Welfare Bureau of Zambia (RWBZ), Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) in advocating for the welfare of older persons; establish how the Senior Citizens Association of Zambia (SCAZ), Retirees Welfare Bureau of Zambia (RWBZ), Human Rights Commission (HRC) and Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) in providing legal protection for older persons and identify the livelihood skills promoted to the older persons by Senior Citizens Association of Zambia (SCAZ), Retirees Welfare Bureau of Zambia (RWBZ), Human Rights Commission (HRC)
and Ministry of Community Development and Social Service (MCDSS). The researcher used case study design. A total of 21 older persons were selected through key informant recruitment from the Matero after care centre in Lusaka District. Further, 15 key informants from SCAZ, RWBZ, HRC and MCDSSS were purposively selected for the research. Data was collected using the semi-structured interview guide from 21 older persons and key
informant interview schedules from 15 key informants 2 from Senior Citizens Association of Zambia, 5 Retirees Welfare Bureau of Zambia, 2 from Human Rights Commission of Zambia and 2 from Ministry of Community Development and Social Services. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that SCAZ, RWBZ, HRC and MCDSS reached out to older persons but did not offer legal protection services and had no plan of events. Findings also show the two organisations and two institutions provided livelihood skills to the older person. Further findings revealed that most of the older persons did not know their rights and how to claim them. The study concluded that for SCAZ, RWBZ, HRC and MCDSS to fully represent the older persons, they needed to have legal representation of older persons and use varying advocacy strategies.
Description
Theis of Master of Education Degree in Civic Education.